Patient and family rights

Auckland Radiation Oncology is committed to delivering care within the Code of Health & Disability Service Consumers' Rights.

We encourage you to:

• Be actively involved in decisions about your care
• Respect the rights of other patients
• Comply with our no smoking policy.

You can view the ARO Privacy Information.

All patients and their families have rights when receiving health care services.  These rights are listed here along with information about commenting on our services.

• Always be treated with respect
• Not be discriminated against, pressured or taken advantage of
• Services that promote dignified and independent lives
• Be treated with care and skill and receive correctly administered treatment
• Medical staff who listen to you and communicate clearly
• An interpreter if required
• A clear explanation of your medical condition and the types of treatment available
• An honest description of the risks and costs as well as the benefits of a proposed treatment
• Ask questions and receive competent answers
• Make your own decisions
• Change your mind if you have already said "yes" or "no" to a course of treatment
• Refuse to participate in teaching or research
• Have a support person present at most times
• Register a complaint.

These rights also apply to patients taking part in teaching or research.

This is a summary of the Health and Disability Commissioners Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers' Rights Regulation 1996.  An expanded version of these rights can be found at http://www.hdc.org.nz/ including a translation of these rights into several languages.

Brochures outlining your rights as a consumer of health and disability services can be found in the public areas at Auckland Radiation Oncology.  If you are unable to locate these brochures, please ask at the reception desk or any of the treatment team

Patient Satisfaction

Our objective is to provide excellent service and care, and we value feedback from patients. Please pass on any comments or compliments you may have to the receptionist before you leave. You do not need to wait until you are discharged if you feel dissatisfied.

Receiving information from patients can alert the team to problems that may not previously been identified. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive or you wish to inform us of your concern in writing please address your concern to the clinical director who can:

• Discuss a problem with you confidentially
• Help with any concerns you may have about your care you receive, with your permission talk to appropriate employees
• Give you more information about your rights as a patient.

We may ask you to complete a Patient Satisfaction Survey before you are discharged.